Name/Title
Delta Queen Steamboat Company (2)Entry/Object ID
B001.18.02Scope and Content
This folder contains ten items:
Item 1: Brochure (single page; tri fold); 8-1/2" by 3-3/4" (closed), 8-1/2" by 11-1/4" (opened); The item is a single-page, foldable brochure from the Steamboat Delta Queen, dated 1967. It serves as an informative piece detailing the schedule, fares, deck plans, and policies for river cruises on the Delta Queen during that year. The first section of the brochure provides a comprehensive overview of the services and amenities offered on the cruises, such as meal times, room descriptions, social activities, and attire recommendations. It also includes practical information like baggage handling and electric current specifications on board. The second section presents a meticulous deck plan of the steamboat, indicating the arrangement of rooms and public areas across the Sun Deck, Texas Deck, and Cabin Deck. This visual aid would be particularly valuable for passengers planning their stay on the boat. The third section lists the various cruise options available, including their departure dates and times, durations, and the rivers they navigate. It also contains a notice regarding the company's policies on schedule adherence and liability. As a museum exhibit, this brochure would offer visitors a window into the past, showing how river cruises were marketed and organized in the 1960s, reflecting the travel culture, design aesthetics, and operational details of the era's leisure industry. Language: English.
Item 2: Brochure (single page; double-parallel & tri fold); 9-1/4" by 4" (closed), 23-1/2" by 16" (opened); This brochure for the Steamboat Delta Queen is a 1969 promotional artifact, capturing the allure of historic American river cruising. The front cover features an eye-catching design with the steamboat's name in ornate and bold typography, flanked by the patriotic emblem and a vivid photograph of the vessel. Within, the brochure unfolds to reveal an array of enticing details aimed at the prospective traveler: it lists destinations along iconic rivers, details the onboard experience with images of leisure and entertainment, and presents the steamboat's various routes. A detailed schedule is provided alongside rich descriptions of the cities visited, painting them as charming and historic. Deck plans in varied hues give a clear view of the ship's accommodations and public spaces. The brochure's language and imagery together invite readers to "recapture the mighty rapture of the river" in a vessel celebrated as America's sole paddlewheel steamer, promising a journey through the nation's picturesque and storied waterways. Language: English.
Item 3: Brochure (multipage; tri fold); 9" by 3-3/4" (closed), 9" by 22-1/2" (opened); The brochure for the S.S. Delta Queen is a captivating document from 1961, designed to advertise river cruises on America's inland waterways. The cover art is vivid and enticing, featuring the steamboat Delta Queen with a backdrop of colorful, iconic river destinations. Inside, the brochure unfolds to a rich tapestry of content: a map tracing the routes along the rivers with evocative images of key cities, beckoning travelers to explore 'in leisurely fashion.' Photographs inside the brochure illustrate life aboard the Delta Queen, with images of passengers in communal areas, offering a glimpse into the social aspect of the cruise experience. A detailed deck plan provides a spatial understanding of the ship's layout, while the accompanying text narrates the comforts and amenities awaiting guests. This brochure is a historical piece that serves as a window into the golden era of steamboat travel, encapsulating the essence of the period's travel culture and leisure. Its design and content are curated to not only inform but also to invoke the charm and elegance of the journey it promises. Language: English.
Item 4: Brochure (multipage; tri fold); 9" by 3-3/4" (closed), 9" by 22-1/2" (opened); This brochure is a promotional piece for the S.S. Delta Queen's 1958 river cruise season, featuring graphic design typical of the mid-20th century. The cover shows a stylized illustration of the steamboat set against a vibrant, block-color background, with a realistic photograph of the Delta Queen in motion below. Notably, the design elements evoke a sense of movement and adventure, with the steamboat's paddle wheel prominently displayed, suggesting the unique mode of travel offered. Destinations like New Orleans, Pittsburgh, St. Paul, Reelfoot Lake, and Kentucky Lake are listed, inviting potential travelers to consider various voyages along America's inland waterways. The brochure likely contains details about the cruises, accommodations, and amenities on board, aiming to attract patrons with the charm of nostalgic river travel. Language: English.
Item 5: Brochure (single page; double-parallel & half fold); 9" by 4" (closed), 18" by 16" (opened); This is a 1954 season brochure for S.S. Delta Queen River Cruises, presenting a bygone era of river travel in the United States. The cover features bold, yellow typography against a deep blue background, with the words "All Aboard" inviting viewers into the experience. A striking photograph of the Delta Queen herself graces the lower half, reflecting off the calm waters she navigates. The destinations—New Orleans, Muscle Shoals, Kentucky Lake, and St. Paul—are listed, suggesting a journey through the heartland's storied waterways. The brochure encapsulates a sense of nostalgia and romance associated with the 'story-book cruises of the Old South' and represents a form of travel that offered a unique blend of leisure and exploration. Language: English.
Item 6: Brochure (multipage; tri fold); 9" by 3-3/4" (closed), 9" by 22-1/2" (opened); The brochure for the 1960 River Cruises aboard the S.S. Delta Queen is a vibrant piece of mid-20th-century travel ephemera. Its cover is a montage of imagery and typography; the name 'River Cruises' sweeps across the top in red script, overlaying a picturesque rendering of the steamboat moving through a river landscape. Below, a photograph captures the Delta Queen in full steam, with a snapshot of the paddle wheel providing a dynamic sense of motion. Listed destinations such as New Orleans, Chattanooga, and St. Paul suggest a range of routes available to the traveler. This brochure serves as a visual and textual invitation to explore America's waterways, highlighting the steamboat as a vessel of leisure and historical travel. Language: English.
Item 7: Brochure (single page; tri fold); 3-1/5" by 8-1/2" (closed), 11" by 8-1/2" (opened); The brochure presents the 1968 Riverboat Cruises on the Delta Queen, offering a detailed glimpse into the travel culture of the era. The cover is simple yet elegant, with a white background and red accents, including a side ornamental border and an understated illustration of the steamboat. Inside, it meticulously lays out the accommodations, deck plans, and a specialized itinerary for a Mardi Gras cruise, capturing the festive spirit of the season. The inserted mini brochure, with its whimsical font and playful design, emphasizes the Mardi Gras theme, promising colorful and lively experiences. Together, these materials paint a picture of the Delta Queen not just as a mode of transportation, but as a venue for adventure, cultural immersion, and nostalgic luxury. Language: English. [INSIDE: Mini-Brochure; single page; tri fold; 8" by 3-1/2" (closed), 8" by 10-1/2" (opened)]
Item 8: Brochure (multipage; tri fold); 9" by 4" (closed), 9" by 24" (opened); This is a vintage travel brochure from 1966, promoting river cruises on the steamboat Delta Queen. The cover features a vibrant illustration split into two parts: the top half showcases a sunset scene with the Delta Queen cruising on a river, its paddle wheel prominent, against an orange sky, while the bottom half displays a photographic image of the same steamboat docked, with passengers visible on deck. The typography is characteristic of mid-20th-century design, with bold, sans-serif fonts in red and yellow hues that highlight the year and the main attraction. The brochure lists various destinations along notable American rivers, including New Orleans, St. Louis, Pittsburgh, Chattanooga, Kentucky Lake, and St. Paul, suggesting a wide range of itineraries. The brochure's design, color scheme, and content provide a glimpse into the travel culture and graphic design style of the 1960s. Language: English.
Item 9: Brochure (single page; penta & half fold); 9" by 4" (closed), 18" by 20" (opened); This is a 1976 brochure for Cartan's Mississippi and Ohio steamboat cruises, featuring the Delta Queen. The cover art combines graphic elements with a circular cut-out revealing a colored photographic image of the Delta Queen steamboat. The graphic design includes a luggage tag motif at the top, suggesting travel and adventure, and a bicentennial logo at the bottom commemorating the American Revolution, indicating the year of America's 200th anniversary. The textual elements are rendered in a mix of fonts, with "Mississippi Queen" and "Delta Queen" in stylized, cursive lettering, invoking a sense of nostalgia and elegance. The brochure captures the essence of 1970s American graphic design and travel culture, highlighting historical significance and leisure activities of the era. Language: English.
Item 10: Brochure (single page; tri & half & half fold); 9" by 3-3/4" (closed), 17" by 22-1/2" (opened); This brochure, dated 1976, advertises steamboat cruises, prominently featuring the words "STEAMBOAT CRUISES '76" in bold, red block lettering against a bright blue background. A close-up photographic image captures the vibrant red paddle wheel of the Delta Queen steamboat, splashing water, symbolizing its active service. Below, in a smaller font, the text "the DELTA QUEEN ...and the NEW MISSISSIPPI QUEEN" introduces the vessels featured in the cruise offerings. The design conveys the energy and motion of steamboat travel and is indicative of the graphic design trends of the mid-1970s, with its straightforward, strong typography and vivid colors. This piece serves as both a historical document of American river cruising and a representation of the era's marketing aesthetics. Language: English.Collection
Brown Archival CollectionLexicon
Nomenclature 4.0
Nomenclature Tertiary Object Term
Ship, CruiseNomenclature Secondary Object Term
Vessel, PassengerNomenclature Secondary Object Term
LetterNomenclature Primary Object Term
Vessel, MerchantNomenclature Primary Object Term
CorrespondenceNomenclature Primary Object Term
MailNomenclature Sub-Class
WatercraftNomenclature Sub-Class
Other DocumentsNomenclature Sub-Class
Body ArmorNomenclature Class
Water Transportation EquipmentNomenclature Class
Documentary ObjectsNomenclature Class
ArmamentsNomenclature Category
Category 07: Distribution & Transportation ObjectsNomenclature Category
Category 08: Communication ObjectsNomenclature Category
Category 05: Tools & Equipment for Science & TechnologyArchive Details
Date(s) of Creation
1954 - 1976
